Winter Horse Care
When you care for your horse, it is crucial to make arrangements for the winter months. Horses should be able to tolerate the winter weather and stay as healthy as possible. In the winter horses will have particular needs which you as the owner will have to take in hand. It is important to prepare for winter ahead of schedule.
Horses are naturally tolerant to chilly conditions. In fact, horses cope with icy conditions a lot better than warm weather. Despite this, there are some rudimentary things horse owners will need to do to make sure their horses stay in good health. Be sure the horse doesn’t have any parasites, and has been vaccinated up to date. The costs for doing these things will significantly pay off through the winter, as the costs of feeding the horse will be reduced.
You may also consider consulting your vet in planning up a health plan for your horse. Preparing your horse for cold weather will help it lower the necessity to eat copious amounts of feed in order to sustain its weight. There’s no need for your horse to lose weight during the winter. Permitting your horse to gain a small amount of weight will aid them in the colder months, as the superfluous fat will work as a cushion to supply the horse with energy if it becomes stressed. For the duration of the winter you will want to give your horse some extra calories.
The most effective protection for a horse in the winter is its actual winter coat. When it grows long, it will act as a warm blanket which will reduce the heat loss that the horse will experience in winter environments. The coat is also smooth and will brush off snow and ice. If you keep your horses outside, you should ensure their coats grow long before the cold weather starts.
To monitor the condition of your horse, you will need to feel its ribs. A large winter coat can easily hide the fact the horse may be losing weight. Your horse should be lean enough so that you can feel the ribs, but not so lean that you can see them. You should also feel your horses ears. Are they cold? If so it’s a good indication that your horse is cold.
As with all warm-blooded animals, horses must maintain their body temperature in order to survive. It is crucial that they conserve heat during the winter, so you must ensure they’re ready for the cold.
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